June 16, 2016

The versatile
Casanova saw action on both offense and defense in college, as well as
returning kicks, and despite injuries, he received consensus All-American
honors as a defensive back in 1970 and ’71. Casanova was chosen by the Bengals
in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft and moved directly into the starting
lineup at free safety, intercepting five passes while also returning 30 punts
for a 9.6-yard average that included a touchdown. He missed five games due to
injury in ’73, although still intercepted four passes, but came back to gain a
Pro Bowl selection in 1974. Casanova was shifted to strong safety in ’75 and
received first-team All-AFC honors from the Associated Press.

1976 Season Summary

Appeared in 11
of 14 games

[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions
– 5 [17, tied with six others]

Most
interceptions, game – 1 on five occasions

Int. return
yards – 109 [9]

Most int.
return yards, game – 33 (on 1 int.) vs. Green Bay 9/26

Int. TDs – 2 [2,
tied with Prentice McCray, Jim Merlo & John Rowser]

Fumble
recoveries – 1

Fumble
recovery TDs – 1

Punt Returns

Returns – 10

Yards – 45

Average per
return – 4.5

TDs – 0

Longest
return – 15 yards

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

Awards &
Honors:

1st
team All-NFL: AP

2nd
team All-NFL: PFWA, NEA

1st
team All-AFC: AP, UPI, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Bengals went 10-6
to finish second in the AFC Central while leading the conference in
interceptions (26).

Aftermath:

Casanova had
another Pro Bowl season in 1977 but, having started medical school while
playing football, he retired to complete his degree and go into medicine. Overall,
Casanova started 65 games for the Bengals and intercepted 17 passes, two of
which he ran back for touchdowns. He also scored on a fumble recovery. As a
punt returner, he averaged 8.6 yards on 91 returns with one TD. He was a
consensus first-team All-NFL choice once, received first- or second-team
All-AFC recognition after three other seasons, and was chosen to three Pro
Bowls. In addition to practicing medicine as an ophthalmologist, Casanova also went
on to serve in the Louisiana state senate.

--

Highlighted Years features players who were first-team
All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following
statistical categories: